Rays reliever Nick Anderson missed almost all of 2021 due to an injury to his right elbow, and now it appears that he will also miss a large chunk of 2022 for the same reason.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Anderson, who suffered a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in Spring Training last season, has undergone a surgical procedure on the elbow, having a brace installed to support the ligament.
#Rays reliever Nick Anderson underwent elbow surgery, having a UCL brace procedure, and is not expected to pitch in games again until after 2022 All-Star break
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 28, 2021
After going 2-1 with a 0.55 ERA in 19 appearances in 2020, the 31-year-old, who was acquired by Tampa Bay from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline the previous season, saw a substantial decline in velocity during the 2021 spring, and was diagnosed with the partial ligament tear. He made six appearances for the Rays, all in September, going 0-1 with a save and a 4.50 ERA. He was placed back on the 10-day injured list at the end of the regular season and did not appear in the 2021 postseason.
The team does not expect Anderson to be ready before the All-Star Break.